Fantasy Football Tips and Tricks

Note: Do not draft any of the players seen in this video, the video is not real.The heat and early optimism of coaches shows that football season is almost upon us. In fact the Dallas Cowboys training camp opens next week in San Antonio. But anyway, football season also brings an even more important season; Fantasy Football! Since ESPN ALREADY published their Fantasy Football preview, I figured lowly Sporting Wood should also. Here are some tips for when you're drafting.

1. Only draft Rookies far away from the ball

The only adage goes that rooks have to adjust to the speed of the game. Really, the bigger adjustment is to the strength of the game. Rookies are almost fresh out of college 21/22 year olds (some older some even younger) and are facing grown men older, physically more mature, and just plain stronger. This is why you rarely see Rookie Lineman, Running Backs, or Quarterbacks do well, they are just too close to the ball and the real men. That being said, Rookie Wide Receivers are often very productive. Recent examples include Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson,and Michael Crabtree (when he actually played). So if you must draft a rookie, draft a receiver.

2. Ray Rice is my No.1 Running Back

Odds are that the first three picks in your draft will be AP, CJ2K, and MJD in some order. If you somehow end up with the 3rd or 4th pick grab the Ravens' Ray Rice. Not only does he have the combination of Joe Flacco and new receiver Anquan Boldin to take pressure off him, he also has a solid O-line led by Michael "Blindside" Oher. He is very durable, I can't recall him missing a game, and has none of the holdout/fumblitis/other back to steal his carries that the other top backs have.

3. Keep an eye on the Jets' WRs

Braylon Edwards and new acquisition Santonio Holmes have both shown they can have big fantasy seasons. The only thing that appears to be holding them back is inconsistent/young QB Mark Sanchez. I'm betting that Sanchez will be better with the experience, and hey he's used to playing with pro-level paid talent, he went to USC! I’m betting one of these guys will have a big season, I just can’t tell you which.

4. Winslow and Davis for TEs

Vernon Davis is young and just coming into his talent under Coach Mike Singletary, so you probably already know about him. A good sleeper pick is Kellen “Soldier” Winslow of Tampa Bay.KW did have a knee injury this offseason and has an inconsistent young QB in Josh Freeman, but I think he will have Top 5 Tight End production this year.

5. Jammal Charles is a good pick

The former UT star RB rushed for 1120 yards last season and caught 40 passes this last season. This is only his 3rd season, so he has not hit the RB age wall yet. Also, he has new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and a more experienced Matt Cassel to take a load off him. He finished strong with 258 yards against Denver in the last week of the 2009 season, and I expect more of the same this year.